CBI officer chargesheeted for graft

The CBI has chargesheeted one of its senior officials for corruption with two others, including a former ADC (aide-de-camp) to the Punjab governor, official sources said on Thursday.

The agency last week filed the chargesheet naming its Superintendent of Police D.K. Barik, Nirvikar Singh, the ex-ADC of S.F. Rodrigues, and Bhupinder Singh, a businessman, before Special Judge Gurdeep Singh, who posted the matter for Friday.

The CBI on May 13 arrested Nirvikar Singh while accepting bribe from Bhupinder Singh in Delhi's Khan Market. Nirvikar Singh was granted bail on Wednesday.

It is alleged that Nirvikar Singh took the money on behalf of Barik in return for providing relief to Bhupinder Singh in a case.

Bhupinder Singh reportedly agreed to pay Rs.30 lakhs to Nirvikar Singh in two equal instalments.

According to informed sources, the CBI searched the residence and office of Barik.

The sources said the CBI found enough evidence, including records of telephonic conversation between Nirvikar Singh and Barik.

All three were charged with criminal conspiracy and corruption.

Meanwhile, the court on Wednesday granted bail to Nirvikar Singh on a personal bond of Rs.100,000 with one surety of like amount after observing that Bhupinder Singh was out on bail while Barik had not been arrested.

Nirvikar Singh's counsel P.K. Dubey submitted that the chargesheet had been filed and the accused would not flee from justice.

Public prosecutor K.P. Singh opposed the bail plea, saying Nirvikar Singh might influence witnesses.